BREAKING NEWS: PC Company closes doors

The Hamilton-based PC Company, the country's largest PC manufacturer, has ceased trading. On Friday managing director Colin Brown directed staff to complete a full stocktake and on Monday locked the doors.

Calls to the company's main phone number are answered by a message which says the company "has temporarily stopped trading".

The company has moved out of its Auckland showroom and doesn't appear to have new premises in the city. A week ago the company claimed it had not found the ideal location yet but would continue trading.

The PC Company was one of the founders of the Computer Manufacturers Association (CMANZ), which was set up in August 1999 to protect customers in the event of a company's failure. CMANZ promises to provide ongoing warranty support for customers of member companies that go out of business. So far, the scheme hasn't been put to the test.

Neither PC Company managing director Colin Brown nor marketing manager Kerry Mancer returned Computerworld Online calls. However, a press release issued by the company says trading has ceased temporarily as the company restructures, which is expected to be completed by the end of the week. Brown is quoted in the press release saying the company has had a tough 12 months.

Rumours that the company was in financial difficulty began circulating about a fortnight ago.

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